Mike Perry Leaves Bare Knuckle FC, Eyes MMA Return

Mike Perry, known as the "King of Violence" in bare-knuckle boxing, is moving back to mixed martial arts after his departure from Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC).

Perry, a former fan favorite in the UFC, became a prominent figure for BKFC, securing victories over notable opponents like Michael 'Venom' Page, Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez in the bare-knuckle arena.

His last fight in BKFC was a knockout win against Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 last year. Following extended contract discussions, it became apparent Perry was seeking opportunities elsewhere, a significant potential loss for BKFC.

After revitalizing his fighting career with BKFC, Perry is set to return to his roots in MMA, donning gloves once again.

Mike Perry Explains BKFC Exit, Considers UFC Return

During an appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show," Perry detailed his decision to leave his long-standing combat sports platform.

"Bare-knuckle fighting felt like a cheat code. I excelled at it, enjoyed it, and made an impact," Perry stated. "Now, I'm ready for a new challenge."

"I see MMA in my near future and plan to give it my best effort. I've accomplished what I set out to do at BKFC, and now it seems our paths are diverging. I'll be fighting with gloves for at least the next two years."

Earlier, Perry was rumored to be in talks for a BKFC main event against Darren Till, following Till's recent victory. However, with Perry's exit from BKFC, this potential matchup is unlikely to happen soon.

Perry recently returned to MMA, defeating Nate Diaz on the undercard of the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event. He might potentially re-sign with MVP MMA, especially with the promotion's full launch scheduled for next year.

A return to the UFC is also a possibility for Perry, who competed in the organization for five years between 2016 and 2021. His departure from the UFC followed a loss to Daniel Rodriguez in April 2021.